Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has encouraged on-loan Tottenham star Dane Scarlett to consider rethinking his future as a striker, and instead become a left-winger. The 19-year-old has showcased moments of brilliance while on the south coast, though he's struggled to find the net.
Scarlett, who sees his contract with Spurs expire in 2026, has featured 31 times for Pompey in League One this season, scoring just four goals. Mousinho handed him plenty of starts as a striker in the first half of the campaign but, since the turn of the new year, the England youth international has often been reduced to cameos appearances off the bench.
In 2023, Scarlett has started just four games for Portsmouth in League One — three of which have come on the left-wing. Speaking to 'The News', the Pompey boss explained why the teenage sensation must, in the short-term, focus on perfecting himself in other roles across the frontline.
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Scarlett will return from his loan in the summer and lock horns with Harry Kane for a place in the Tottenham starting line-up. Mousinho said: "Dane definitely has a future playing off one of the wings.
"He has probably been one of the victims of the shape change since I've come in and played one up top, with Colby taking to that position and being brilliant. As a No. 9, Dane has clearly had limited opportunities and, when he has played in our side, it has been off the left and he’s affected games.
"He scored that all-important goal against Burton, while he came on against Bolton and made a real difference, playing just behind Colby," the Portsmouth boss added. "Certainly if he wants to play for Spurs in the next year or so then it might be time to think about something other than playing as a No. 9."
Mousinho then referenced how Marcus Rashford had to earn his stripes on the wing before being allowed to lead the line at Manchester United. He said: "That’s what Dane’s ambition should be, he should want to play for Spurs.
"I’ve actually watched him in Spurs’ new stadium for a Europa League game and modern centre-forwards need that flexibility. One which springs to mind is Marcus Rashford, who was a centre-forward coming through the ranks and has now reinvented himself as that wide player cutting in – and still with the ability to score.
"That’s not a like-for-like comparison, they are completely different players, but maybe that’s something for Dane to think about. I know he wants to play as that No. 9, but that flexibility fitting into different formations and different sides is going to be really important for him."
Kane faces an increasingly uncertain future at Tottenham with just 16 months remaining on his contract. With England's all-time top goalscorer yet to commit his long-term future to the north London outfit, some European sides are believed to be keeping tabs on his situation.
Prior to Fabio Paratici's ban, football.london understands that the Spurs director had been in contact with the 29-year-old's entourage to discuss an extension but formal discussions have not yet begun. It's also understood that Kane is open to discussing fresh terms which comes a great news for Scarlett, who will be hoping he can learn from the talisman in years to come.
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